SFFR Wins Fire Service Safety Leadership Award

The Congressional Fire Services Institute and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation have selected Sioux Falls Fire Rescue as the recipients of the 2020 Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award. Named in honor of former Maryland Senator Paul Sarbanes, the award recognizes fire departments and organizations for leadership in advancing firefighter health and safety.

“SFFR is honored to be receiving this award. Every member of our department has worked very hard at constantly improving our Health and Safety program by defining our culture and best practices through positive change.” Fire Chief Brad Goodroad.

Representing career fire departments, Sioux Falls Fire Rescue developed important health and safety programs for their personnel that are based on the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives established at the 2004 Tampa Summit. Over the past five years, Sioux Falls Fire Rescue has placed a significant focus on Life Safety Initiative #1; Cultural Change related to all aspects of health and safety for the organization. Beginning in 2019, Sioux Falls Fire Rescue created their own 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives Video Project. The overall project addresses awareness and necessary changes within the department that would shift the cultural behaviors and mindset for the department. The current culture is one that encompasses each and every one of the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation; 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives.

“Sioux Falls Fire Rescue is honored and humbled to be the 2020 recipient of the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award. There is a resurgence regarding safety awareness in the fire service fueled by the principles of the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives. Through the efforts of all our personnel, we have embraced a culture shift to make us a safer department for current and future firefighters.” Battalion Chief Michael Clauson

The award presentations will take place at the 32nd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 30, 2020, in Washington, DC.